Designing for Alzheimer's disease

by Elizabeth C. Brawley

The nation's entire aged population is increasing rapidly, and the most dramatic rise is occurring in the over-85 age group. With the baby boom generation set to join the ranks of the elderly shortly after the turn of the century, clearly we will need more healthcare settings and other facilities for an older population with a growing demand for long-term care services. In this context, it is vital for architects, interior designers, and those who deliver services to older people - whether designing senior housing or any healthcare setting for the elderly - to increase their knowledge of normal age-related changes, Alzheimer's disease, the physiological changes and special needs of residents with dementia, and the impact of the environment on elderly residents' ability to function. Designing for Alzheimer's Disease provides a much needed understanding of this debilitating illness and the effect of design on residents' independence, mobility, and emotional well-being. Filled with detail